TAK— The Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau from China’s Ministry of Public Security crossed the border into Myanmar to take custody of 14 key members of a Chinese call center scam and 80 related workers.
Myanmar authorities handed them over to the Chinese team, who immediately transported them across the border at Mae Sot and flew them back to China. Each leader in the group reportedly held assets worth hundreds of millions.
On August 20, 2025, Mr. Chen Jianfeng, Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Public Security of China, along with ministry officials and representatives from the Chinese embassy, travelled to Myawaddy in Kayin State, located opposite Wang Ta Kian Tai Village, Tha Sai Luat Subdistrict, Mae Sot District, Tak Province.
There, Myanmar police from Naypyidaw handed over 14 top-level call center operators as well as 80 Chinese nationals, who were recruited to work in online scams. In total, 94 people were transferred to the Chinese authorities.
Myanmar officers processed and recorded the suspects’ details before delivering them to the China team. The group was then taken by bus across the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. They passed through Thai border checks at Mae Sot before boarding two chartered planes provided by Chinese authorities to return to China.
Myanmar officials said that the original group included 100 Chinese nationals. Six of them were too ill to travel, and among those, some had tuberculosis. The 14 main suspects became targets of the Myanmar side and the Karen BGF (Border Guard Force) for their roles as scam leaders.
They managed large groups, forcing their workers to deceive call center targets for money. If staff failed to hit targets, the leaders reportedly punished or assaulted them.
The BGF detained the leaders for several months while waiting for Chinese law enforcement to step in. Each ringleader was found with assets worth over 100 million baht. Their families allegedly tried to secure releases through bribes. However, the Karen BGF refused all offers.
Fuel Destined For Chinese Scam Gang Generators Seized
Meanwhile, soldiers from the Ratchamanu Task Force joined local police and administrative officers to intercept a convoy of six trucks carrying a total of 60,000 litres of diesel oil. The trucks were attempting to cross the Phop Phra border into Myanmar, where strict regulations and crackdowns have created a shortage of fuel.
Recent controls by both Thai and Myanmar authorities have made smuggling more common as black market trade faces tighter restrictions.
On 20 August 2025, officials reported that soldiers from the Ratchamanu Task Force in Mae Sot, with investigators from Tak and Phop Phra’s administrative team, were patrolling the Thai-Myanmar border near Ban Mokertai in Phop Phra district. During their patrol, they came across a convoy of six ten-wheel lorries entering the area.
Authorities stopped the trucks for inspection and found each vehicle loaded with diesel oil concealed under tarpaulins. The first truck, a pink Isuzu 360 with Kamphaeng Phet number plates, was driven by Mr Nipat, 37, and carried 10,000 litres of diesel.
The second vehicle, a green Isuzu 360 from Tak, was driven by Mr Saneh, 49, and contained another 10,000 litres. The third, a white Isuzu 360 (Kamphaeng Phet plates), was driven by Mr Bowon, 36, and held 10,000 litres.
The fourth lorry, a white Hino Victor 380 from Tak, was operated by Mr Nopparat, 29, with the same amount of diesel. The fifth, another white Isuzu 360 from Kamphaeng Phet, was driven by Mr Thaksa, 43, while the sixth, a white Isuzu 360 with Tak plates, was driven by Mr Nakorn, 46. Each carried 10,000 litres, making a total of 60,000 litres seized.
All six drivers admitted during questioning that the fuel was destined for Myanmar. Officers arrested the drivers, seized the trucks and fuel, and took further legal action.
Currently, Myawaddy province in Myanmar is experiencing a severe fuel shortage. This is because the Myanmar government now requires local traders to acquire special permits for importing and exporting goods, which blocks regular fuel deliveries through border areas.
At the same time, Thailand has put in measures known as the ‘Three Cuts’ to stop fuel smuggling and target call centre gangs. These steps include cutting the electricity supply, blocking internet signals, and banning fuel shipments into the Myanmar border areas.
